[calliefrog]

We are installing new laminate flooring in our home. Our first floor has one room that is a lower level than the rest, and we will have to transition to this room in two different spots.

Where I am stumped is that there is drywall at the edge. It seems like this would degrade at the transition if I installed the bullnose type transition directly on top of it, and in fact some of it is already worn down.

Any suggestions as to how to transition this better? Or should I just repair the drywall so it is flush? The previous owners had a strip of unfinished wood tacked down on top of the drywall where the transition ended. I know I dont want that, because it looked pretty tacky.

 

[Missouri Bound]

Ged rid of the drywall.
The transition you want to make.....is it to raise the floor up to the height of that door trim?

 

[calliefrog]

We will have the same type of flooring on both the lower and higher level when we finish. It is Pergo Timbercraft flooring, and I have stairnose molding for the transition. The jamb and trim on the other side of picture above have been cut already for the new flooring to fit underneath. Haven't decided what to do for sure with the trim on the side you can see in the photo.

 

[Missouri Bound]

We will have the same type of flooring on both the lower and higher level when we finish..

Perhaps I misunderstood. Are you wanting to raise the level of the lower floor or just find a way do make a transition between the two? If you are keeping the "step" you could wrap a piece of the flooring on it.
I thought you wanted to raise the lower floor.

 

[calliefrog]

Just a transition. The lower floor is about 6 inches below the upper. When we replace the lower flooring we are putting in baseboard that isn't quite as tall as what is there currently, so there will be about 3 inches between the bottom of the step and the baseboard.

Can you describe what you mean by 'wrap'? I'm just not picturing it in my head. Thanks!

 

[Missouri Bound]

Put the flooring on the face of the "step"
But were you planning on baseboard across the bottom?
Perhaps a landing of sorts would give you the desired look...a "stoop" of sorts.
Then you could wrap the baseboard around it and it would be a platform instead of a step. Did I explain that adequately?

 

[calliefrog]

Yes, I think so. I'd rather not add a landing, though, especially with such a small step. The room feels kind of narrow already and a landing would exacerbate that.

Putting some flooring vertically below the doorway was one of the options I've considered. I have some t molding I could use to transition between that and the drywall?

Maybe the bullnose transition on new drywall wouldn't look too bad, though, if I cut it out and replaced it right there... But I'm still concerned what the weight/pressure as people stepped on it would do to that drywall underneath. Am I right to be concerned about that?

 

[calliefrog]

Here is another photo. The room is kind of a mess since with all the furniture from the other room in here. 🙂